There is nothing so rewarding or challenging as traveling with a baby, although it can seem like an intimidating experience at first. After all, you likely already feel like you are packing for a vacation every time you leave the house.
When you travel with your baby, you’ll make memories to last a lifetime, and having the best tools ensures those memories are good ones. While there are tons of travel toys and disposable wipes out there to keep the baby happy and clean, it’s the bigger accessories that will make or break your trip.
Look for tools to help you move freely, keep the baby secure, keep your kid well-rested, and keep your gear clean.
Vacationing together as a family is a wonderful way to open up your baby’s worldview and expose them to new experiences that shape their development. Taking your baby on a trip doesn’t have to be stressful when you remember to bring along these last-minute must-haves that will make your life easier.
These Things Will Make Traveling with a Baby Easier
Keep Their Soothers Handy
Most babies enjoy using a pacifier or teething ring to soothe themselves. You might also consider using a pacifier for the first time to help your baby’s ears depressurize during a flight.
If your baby is teething, then freeze a few teething rings ahead of time that you can keep cold in your carry-on bag. Make sure to attach the rings or pacifiers with a clip to their clothing so that it doesn’t get lost.
Plan Some Simple Entertainment
Babies are often quite happy just looking at the world go by through the window, but you may also want a few toys to keep them occupied. Small infant-friendly books, stuffed toys, and textured blankets are all fun ideas to keep your baby from getting bored as you travel to your destination.
Pack Their Toiletries
Hotels are usually quite accommodating, and many of the most popular chains stock a few toiletries that you can use if you forget your own. However, those tiny shampoo and conditioner bottles are always made for adults and can be too harsh for your baby’s skin.
Don’t forget to pack baby shampoo in your luggage since it is the one thing that most hotels don’t have available.
Grab a Bottle
If your baby uses a bottle, then you definitely need a way to warm up the milk to your baby’s preferred temperature. Mini bottle warmers can be set up in your hotel room so that you can avoid having to resort to using the microwave. You can also find portable styles that are designed to work while you are on the go.
Include Some Wet-Dry Bags
The world isn’t baby-proof. It doesn’t cater to stinky diapers and messy bibs, either. If you take your baby hiking, spend an afternoon strolling around the city, or just want to pop out for lunch, wet-dry bags are lifesavers.
Babies often need several wardrobe changes during a long trip. Whether your baby spits up or has a diaper blowout, you’ll be glad that you don’t have to toss their adorable outfit.
Instead, just pop it in the wet bag and launder it as soon as you can. This is also the most sanitary way to handle accidents until you have access to a proper laundry facility.
Their waterproof lining keeps stink, slimy, and wet things contained, but they fit neatly in your diaper bag, so you aren’t stuck with a dirty diaper in hand until you find a trash can.
Make sure to take at least two with you. One holds poopy diapers. The other cont